Translator



Oct. 31, 1967 F. H. KRANTZ .TRANSLATOR I Filed April 6, l964 I F lg 3 INVENTOR. FREDERICK H. KRANTZ 21M f. C

I ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,350,706 TRANSLATOR 7 Frederick H. Krantz, Bethesda, Md., assignor to Burroughs Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Apr. 6, 1964, Ser. No. 357,425

7 Claims. (Cl. 340-347) This invention relates to selection circuits and, more particularly, relates to translators in which a plurality of input signals select and energize one or more of a larger group of output devices.

The power dissipation in translators is a function of the number of energized switching components used in the translators. For this reason, it is desirable to reduce the number of energized switching components. This can be done by using relays with a large number of contacts. However, the speed of relays having a large number of contacts is relatively low. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved translator.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a translator which is simple, economical, and includes relatively few switching components.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a translator for convertinga binary code to a decimal code rapidly and with a minimum of circuit components.

In accordance with the above objects four switches are controlled by four binary input signals so as to select one lamp to be illuminated, which lamp indicates the decimal equivalent of the-input binary signals. One of said switches selects the polarity of the voltage which is to be applied to a selected lamp to cause it to be illuminated. Two of the four switches select a smaller group of said lamps to which the selected voltage may be applied. The fourth switch selects a still smaller group of only two lamps from the group to which the selected voltage has been applied by the first three switches and provides a ground connection for these remaining two lamps. Each of the two selected lamps in this group has a diode in series with it and the selected voltage. The diodes are oppositely poled for each pair of lamps selected by the fourth switch. Therefore, only one lamp is illuminated since a diode blocks current from the other of the last two selected lamps. In this manner selection may be made with a minimum of circuit components.

The invention and the above-noted and other features thereof will be understood more clearly and fully from the following detailed explanation considered with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of one em bodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit for the translator of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of another embodiment of the invention.

In FIGURE 1 a schematic circuit diagram of a translator for converting binary information to decimal information is shown having input terminals 10, 12, 14 and 16 for receiving pulse script binary information and lamps 18A-181 for indicating the decimal digit'having the same value as the binary information presented to terminals 10, 12, 14 and 16. The input terminals 10, 14, 16, and 12 represent the 2, 2 2 and 2 binary bits respectively; the lamps 18A-18] represent the numbers O9 in the same progressive order as the sufiixed letter of the alphabet. Each of the terminals 10, 12, 14 and 16 is electrically connected to the winding of a different one of the four relays 20, 22, 24, and 26' respectively.

The relays 20, 22, 24 and 26 form a circuit selection tree. Each relay has a normally-open contact, a normallyclosed contact, and a common terminal which is closed to either the normally-open contact or the normallyclosed contact by the relay action. Whena binary one is applied to the terminal 10, the relay 20 closes its common terminal to the normally-open contact 28 so as to electrically connect it to the negative source of voltage 30; when terminal 10 receives no voltage indicating a binary zero it closes its common terminal to the normally-closed contact 32 so as to connect it to the source of positive voltage 34.

When a voltage pulse is applied to terminal 12, indicating that a binary one has been applied to the 2 terminal, the relay 22 closes its common terminal to the normally-open contact 36 so as to electrically connect the voltage from the switch of the relay 20 to terminal 38. Terminal 38 is electrically connected to the cathode of the diode 401 and to the anode of the diod 401. The diode 401 is electrically connected to ground through the nine indicating lamp 181 and the cathode of the diode 401 is electrically connected to ground through the indicating lamp 18I.

Therefore, if no voltage is applied to terminal 10, indicating a binary zero in the 2 position, and a voltage is applied to terminal 12, indicating a binary one in the 2 position, a positive voltage is applied to terminal 38 forward biasing the diode 401 and causing the eight indicator lamp 181 to be energized. On the other hand, if a voltage is applied to terminal 10, indicating a binary one in the 2 position, and a voltage is applied to terminal 12, indicating a binary one in the 2 position, the negative voltage source 30 is electrically connected to terminal 38 forward biasing diode 40] and causing the nine indicator lamp 18J to be illuminated.

If no voltage is applied to the terminal 12, indicating a binary zero in the 2 position, the common terminal of the relay 22 is connected to the normally-closed contact 44. The contact 44 is electrically connected to the common terminal of the relay 24. If a voltage is received by terminal 14, indicating that a binary one is in the 2 position, the common terminal from the relay 24 is electrically connected to the contact 46. When no voltage is applied to the terminal 14', indicating that a binary zero is in the 2 position, the common terminal of the relay 24 is electrically connected to contact 48. The contact '46 is electrically connected to the anodes of the diodes 40C and 406 and to the cathodes of the diodes 40D and 40H. The contact 48 is electrically connected to the anodes of the diodes 40A and 40E and to the cathodes of the diodes 40B and 40F.

The common terminal of the relay 26 is grounded. When a voltage is applied to terminal 16, indicating that a binary one is in the 2 position, the common terminal of the relay 26 is electrically connected to the normallyopen contact 50; when no voltage is applied tothe terminal 16, indicating that a binary zero is in the 2 position, the common terminal of the relay 26 is electrically connected to the normally-closed contact 52. The contact 50 is electrically connected to the anode of the diode 40F through the lamp 18F, to the anode of the diode 40H through the lamp 18H, to the cathode of the diode 40E through the lamp 18E, and to the cathode of the diode 406 through the lamp 18G. The contact 52 is electrically connected to the anode of the diode 40B through the lamp 18B, to the anode of the diode 40D through the lamp 18D, to the cathode of the diode 40A through the lamp 18A, and to the cathode of the diode 400 through the lamp 18C.

When no voltage is applied to terminals 10, 12, 14 and to be illuminated. If a voltage is applied to terminal 10, the'source of a negative voltage 30 is applied to the diodes 40A and 40B. In this case, the diode 40B is forward biased causing the one lamp 18B to be illuminated. If a voltage pulse is applied to the terminal 14, the voltages from the common terminal of the relay 20 is applied to the diodes 40C and 40D rather than the diodes 40A and 40B. This causes the diode 40C to be forward biased if there is no input voltage on the terminal illuminating the number 2 lamp 18C or causes the diode 40D to be forward biased if a voltage is applied to terminal 10 illuminating the 3 lamp 18D.

When a voltage is applied to terminal 16 the diodes 40E, 40F, 40G and 40H are grounded through their respective lamps. When no voltage is applied to terminal 12 and no voltage is applied to terminal 14, the source of voltage from the common terminal of the relay 20 is electrically connected to the diodes 40E and 40F; when there is no voltage on terminal 12 and a voltage on terminal 14, the source of voltage from the common terminal of the relay 20 is electrically connected to the diodes 40G and 40H. When there is no voltage on the terminal 10, the voltage applied to the common terminal of the relay 24 is positive causing the lamp 18E to be illuminated when there is no voltage on terminal 14 and causing the lamp 18G to be illuminated when there is a voltage on the terminal 14; when a voltage is applied to terminal 10 the voltage on the common terminal of the relay 20 is negative causing the five lamp 18F to be illuminated when there is no voltage on the terminal 14 and causing the seven lamp 18H to be illuminated when there is a voltage on the terminal 14.

It can be seen that a binary to digital conversion can be obtained through the circuit of FIGURE 1 using only four relays, ten diodes and ten output devices. This is a considerable saving in components over many kinds of decoder matrices. Furthermore, the circuit is efficient from the standpoint of the conservation of power as can be seen by the schematic circuit diagram of FIGURE 2.

In FIGURE 2 a schematic circuit diagram of an equivalent circuit for the translator of FIGURE 1 is shown. In this example it will be considered that the number zero lamp has been selectedby the binary input information. The equivalent circuit consists of one selected lamp in parallel with three unselected lamps which are in series with each other. The source of positive voltage 34 is connected to ground through the two parallel paths: one of which contains a forward biased diode 40A and the lamp 18A and the other of which contains the three forward biased diodes 40E, 40H and 40C and three lamps 18E, 18H and 18C. It can be seen that the current drawn from the source 34 is four-thirds the current drawn through one lamp. This is true for the selection of any of the lamps representing the digital numbers zero to seven. The selection of the lamps representing the digits eight and nine only draws the normal current through one lamp. This is a considerable saving over binary to decimal translators which draw current continuously through ten resistors of a matrix. Due to the non-linear relationship between lamp voltage and lamp radiation, the intensity of the light emitted by the three non-selected lamps 18A, 18H and 18C is negligible.

However, in applications in which dimly lit lamps are objectionable, diode gaseous glow-discharge lamps having a definite break-down voltage may be substituted for the incandescent lamps shown in FIGURE 1. By correctly choosing the power supply potentials, the voltage across the lamps in the series connection can be held below the break-down potential. By using glow-discharge lamps having a further property of being polarity sensitive, the diodes of FIGURE 2 may be eliminated. A binary-todecimal translator of this type is shown in the schematic circuit diagram of FIGURE 3. v r

The schematic circuit diagram of FIGURE 3 is identical to that ofFIGURE 1 except that gas diodes have been substituted for the combination of a diode and a lamp used in FIGURE 1. Accordingly, the four relays 60, 62, 64 and 66 are adapted to receive the binary inputs representing 2, 2 2 and 2. respectively. When the relay receives a binary one its common terminal is electrically connected to a source of negative potential 68; when it is not receiving a binary one its common terminal is electrically connected to a source of positive voltage 70. When the relay 62 receives a binary one its common terminal oonnects'the common terminal from relay 60 to the gas tube diode 72] and to the gas tube diode 721. The anode of the gas tube diode 72] and the cathode of the gas tube diode 721 are grounded.

When a binary zero is applied to the relay 62 its common terminal is electrically connected to the common terminal of the relay 64. When the relay 64 receives a binary one its common terminal is also electrically connected to the anode of the diode gas tube 72C, to the cathode of the diode gas tube 72D, to the anode of the gas tube 72G, and to the cathode of the diode gas tube 72H. When the relay 64 receives a binary Zero," its common terminal is electrically connected to the anode of the diode gas tube 72A, to the cathode of the diode gas tube 723, to the anode of the gas tube 72B, and to the cathode of the gas tube 72F. In this way the positive or negative voltage from the common terminal of the relay 60, is electrically connected to one of two groups of four diode gas tubes by the common terminal of the relay 64.

When a binary one is applied to the relay 66, its common terminal grounds the cathode of the diode gas tube 72F, the anode of the diode gas tube 72F, the cathode of the diode gas tube 726, and the anode of the diode gas tube 72H. This completes a circuit to two of the diode gas tubes which are oppositely poled so as to cause only one to be illuminated. When a binary zero is applied to the input of the relay 66, its common terminal grounds the cathode of the diode gas tube 72A, the anode of the diode gas tube 72B, a cathode of the diode gas tube 72C, and the anode of the diode gas tube 72D. This also completes a circuit to two oppositely poled diode gas tubes so that one is illuminated.

It can be seen that the translating device of this invention is simple and economical. The current drawn is reduced over matrices in which current must be continually drawn through a plurality of resistors connected either to each of the columns or each of the rows of the matrix. The translator may of course use vacuum tube or semiconductor switches rather than relays or other kinds of switches. Its speed is not reduced. It does not require a plurality of contacts to achieve the economy in components.

Of course, many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination comprising:

input means for receiving selection voltage pulses;

a plurality of output terminals adapted to be electrically connected to a utility device so as to selectively energize portions of said utility device in response to selection voltage pulses received by said input means; and

decoding means, electrically connected to said input means and to said out-put terminals, for connecting a voltage to a selected output terminal of said plurality of output terminals in accordance with said selection voltage pulses;

said decoding means including a switching means for selectively connecting one voltage source of two voltage sources having opposite polarities to two 0ppositely poled diodes electrically connected to two different terminals of said plurality of output terminals whereby said one voltage source is electrically connected to said selected output terminal in accordance with said input voltage pulses.

2. The combination according to claim 1 in which said switching means includes .a means for providing a ground connection to said selected portions of said utility device.

3. Apparatus for applying a potential to selected output terminal means of a plurality of output terminal means in response to an input signal comprising:

a plurality of asymmetrical electric current conducting means each of which is electrically connected to a' different one of said plurality of output terminal lmeans; first switch means having a terminal for receiving input signals for selectively connecting a first switch terminal to one of two voltage sources having opposite polarities in response to said input signal; second switch means for electrically connectingsaid first switch terminal to a plurality of said asymmetrical current conducting means in which only those asymmetrical current conducting means which are poled so as to conduct current for said one of said two voltage sources is electrically connected to said selected output terminal means. 7 4. Apparatus in which a particular output circuit of a plurality of output circuit-s may be selected by a predetermined switching arrangement, comprising:

a plurality of conductive devices some of which have their anodes electrically connectedto different ones of said output circuits and some of which have their cathodes electrically connected to' different ones of the remaining output circuit; 7

first switching means for electrically connecting one voltage source of two voltage sources having-opposite polarities to a reference terminal;

second switching means for electrically connecting said reference terminal to certain of the unidirectional conductive device electrodes which are not electrically connected to output circuits; and

third switching means for providing a ground return to only two of said output circuits one of which is electrically connected to the cathode of one of said certain of unidirectional conductive devices and the other of which is electrically connected to the anode of one of saidunidirectional conductive devices.

5. Apparatus in which a diode gas tube may be illuminated by a particular switching arrangement, c0mprising:

a plurality of diode gas tubes capable of emitting light when conducting current;

first switching means for electrically connecting one voltage source of, two voltage sources having opposite polarities to a reference terminal;

second switching means for electrically connecting said reference terminal to the anodes of some of said diode gas tubes and to the cathodes of the remainder of said diode gas tubes; and

third switching means fonelectrically connecting the cathode of one of said diode gas tubes which has its anode electrically connected to said second switching means to ground and for connecting the anode of another one of said diode gas tubes which has its cathode electrically connected to said second switching means to ground, whereby the diode gas tube which is forward biased by said one of said two voltage sources having opposite polarities will emit light.

6. A binary to decimal translator for receiving voltages representative of binary ones and binaryzeros and for illuminating a lamp representing a decimal digit in response thereto comprising:

first relay means, having a common terminal, a normally-closed contact, and a normally-open contact, for electrically connecting said common terminal to said normally-open contact upon receiving a voltage representing a binary one and for electrically connecting said common terminal to said normallyclosed contact upon receiving a voltage representing a binary zero;

said first relay means being adapted to receive binary voltages representative of the 2 binary digit;

said normally-open contact of said first relay means being adapted to be electrically connected to a source of negative potential;

said normally-closed contact of said first relay means being adapted to be connected to a source of positive voltage;

second relay means, having a common terminal, a

normally-closed contact, and a normally-open contact, for electrically connecting said common terminal to said normally-open contact upon receiving a voltage representing a binary one and for electrically connecting said common terminal to said normally-closed contact upon receiving arvoltage' representing a binary zero; said second relay means being adapted to receive binary voltages representative of the 2 binary digit; said common terminals of said first and second relay means being electrically connected whereby said positive and negative sources of voltages are selectively connected to said common terminal of said second relay means by the actuation of said first relay means; said normally-open contact of said second relay means being electrically connected to the cathode of a nine diode gas tube for representing the decimal digit 9 when illuminated and to the anode of at eight diode gas tube for representing the decimal digit 8 when illuminated; the anode of said nine diode gas tube and the cathode of said eight gas tube being electrically connected to ground; third relay means, having a common terminal, a nor- 7 mally-closed contact and a normally-open contact, for electrically connecting said common terminal to said normally-open contact when receiving the voltage representing a binary one and for electrically connecting said common terminal to said normallyclosed contact when receiving a voltage representing abinary zero;

said third relay means being adapted to receive binary voltages representative of the 2 binary digit;

said common terminal of said third relay means being electrically connected to said normally-closed contact of said second relay means;

said normally-open contact of said third relay means being electrically connected to the anode of a two diode gas tube representing the decimal digit 2 when illuminated, to the cathode of a three diode gas tube for representing the decimal digit 3 when illuminated, to the anode of a sixidiode' gas tube for representing the decimal digit 6 when illuminated, and to the cathode of a seven diode gas tube for representing the decimal digit 7 when illuminated;

said normally-closed contact of said third relay means being electrically connected to the anode of a zero diode gas tube for representing the decimal digit 0 when illuminated, to the cathode of a one diode gas tube for representing the decimal digit 1 when illuminated, to the anode of a four diode gas tube for representing the decimal digit 4 when illuminated, and to the cathode of a five diode gas tube for representing the decimal digit 5 when illuminated;

third relay means, havinga common terminal, a normally-clos'ed contact, and a normally-open contact, for electrically connecting said common terminal to said normally open contact when receiving a voltage representing a binary one and for electrically connecting said common terminal to said normallyclosed cont-act upon receiving a voltage representing a binary zero;

said fourth relay means being adapted to receive binary voltages representative of the 2 binary digit;

sai-d common terminal of said fourth relay means being adapted to be grounded;

said normally-open contact being electrically connected to the cathode of said four diode gas tube, to the anode of said five diode gas tube, to the cathode of said six diode gas tube, and to the anode of said seven diode gas tube;

third relay means, having a common terminal, anormally-closed contact and a normally-open contact, for electrically connecting said common terminal to said normally-open contact upon receiving a voltage representing a binary one and for electrically conmeeting said common terminal to said normally-closed contact upon receiving a voltage representing a binary zero;

said third relay means being adapted to receive voltages representative of the 2 binary digit;

said common terminal of said third relay means being electrically connected to said normally-closed contact of said second relay means;

said normally-open contact of said third relay means said normally-closed contact of said fourth relay means to b i i ll connected to h anode of id being electrically connected to the cathode of sa1d di de, t the cathode of said three" diode to Z r diode gas tube, to the anode of Said the anode of said six diode, and to the cathode of diode gas tube, to the cathode of said two diode said seven diode; gas tube, and t the anode of sa1d dlode gas said normally-closed contact of said third relay means tube t being electrically connected to the anode of said 7. A binary to decimal translator for receiving voltages diode, to the cathode f i di d t P t binary f binary f for the anode of said four diode and to the cathode of illuminating a lamp representing a decimal dlglt in resaid five diode; sponse thereto, comp1'1 g fourth relay means having a common terminal, a norten mp c p e p p the 811C- mally-closed contact and a normally-open contact, ces slve decimal dlglts from Z r 0 I11I1e for electrically connecting said common terminal to ten diodes each electrically connected to a different one said normallyopen Contact upon receivinq a voltage a of said ten lamps, representing a binary one and for electrically confirst relay means, having a common termlnal, a nor- Homing Said Common terminal to i normallyye Contact h h yp e a closed contact upon receiving a voltage representing for electrically connecting said common terminal to a binary sald h ylf h t uPerl feeelvlllg a Voltage said fourth relay means being adapted to be electrically p e f blhafy one e eleetrlcany connected to receive voltages representative of the nectlng sa1d common terminal to sa1d normally- 2 binary digitv a 9 Closed h t p reeelvlhg a Voltage represehtlng said common terminal of said fourth relay means being a binary Zer t adapted to be grounded; sa1d first relay mea belng p ed to Teeelve Voltages said zero lamp being electrically connected between fepresehtatlve of the blhary g i the cathode of said zero diode and said normally- Sald h yp Contact of sa1d first relay means closed contact of said fourth relay means belng pt to be connected to a Source of mega said one lamp being electrically connected between tlve potential; the anode of said one diode and said normallysald normally-closed contact of sa1d first relay means closed contact of Said fourth relay means.

belng adlapted to be Connected to a Source of posm"e said two lamp being electrically connected between potentl-a the cathode of sa i second relay means, having a common terminal, a nor- 40 closed contact of g tl g igi f fig zi normally molly-closed and a f yp a for said three lamp being electrically connedted between trlcally connecting sa1d common termlnal to sa1d the anode of Said diode and Said normally normally-open contact upon recelvlng a voltage repclosed contact of Said f th relay meansr n resenting a binary one and for: electrlcally 6011- said four lamp being electrically connected between meeting said common termlnal to said normally-closed the cathode of said diode and said not-mall contact upon receiving a voltage representing a binary open contact of said fourth relay means. yzero; said five lam b l said second relay means being adapted to receive voltthe anode i t tfiig gfs gs gif gfggi i ag s rePreSentat1 Ve 0f the bmary dlglt; open contact of said fourth relay means sa1d common terminal of said second relay means being said lamp bein electrical] Conn d b t electrically connected to said common terminal of the cathode saidg diodg and g f z f said first relay means, whereby said positive source open Contact of Said fourth relay means, and Y- et vottage and sand nega t1ve Source of Yohage l said seven lamp being electrically connected between selectively connected to said common terminal of sa1d Said anode of Said diode and 11 second relay means by the action of said first relay 0 en Contact of Said to rth 1 1 norma ymeans; p u re ay means. said normally-open contact of said second relay means i being electrically connected to the cathode of said References Cited nine diode and to the anode of said eight diode; UNITED STATES PATENTS said nine lamp being electrically connected between 2,872,114 2/1959 Wilson 235.41 the anode of said nine diode and groun 3,146,357 8/ 1964 Spallone 307--88.5 said lamp being electrically connected betwee 3,147,472 9/19 Young 340347 the cathode of said eigh diode and ground; 3,166,679 1/ 1965 Paufve 30788.5

65 DARYL W.-COOK, Acting Primary Examiner.

MAYNARD R. WILBUR, Examiner.

I. WALLACE, Assistant Examiner. 

3. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A POTENTIAL TO SELECTED OUTPUT TERMINAL MEANS OF A PLURALITY OF OUTPUT TERMINAL MEANS IN RESPONSE TO AN INPUT SIGNAL COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF ASYMMETRICAL ELECTRIC CURRENT CONDUCTING MEANS EACH OF WHICH IS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO A DIFFERENT ONE OF SAID PLURALITY OF OUTPUT TERMINAL MEANS; FIRST SWITCH MEANS HAVING A TERMINAL FOR RECEIVING INPUT SIGNALS FOR SELECTIVELY CONNECTING A FIRST SWITCH TERMINAL TO ONE OF TWO VOLTAGE SOURCES HAVING OPPOSITE POLARITIES IN RESPONSE TO SAID INPUT SIGNAL; SECOND SWITCH MEANS FOR ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING SAID FIRST SWITCH TERMINAL TO A PLURALITY OF SAID ASYMMETRICAL CURRENT CONDUCTING MEANS IN WHICH ONLY THOSE ASYMMETRICAL CURRENT CONDUCTING MEANS WHICH ARE POLED SO AS TO CONDUCT CURRENT FOR SAID ONE OF SAID TWO VOLTAGE SOURCES IS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO SAID SELECTED OUTPUT TERMINAL MEANS. 